Movie reviews

THE LAST DUEL IN 4K

Recommended. Based on a true story from France, spoken in English, scripted by Nicole Holofcener, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon. The first part, shot in dark blueish hues or sepia, looks like an ordinary medieval tale. The whole thing was shot in cloud-clad Ireland which explains the palette. The storyline, however, turns out to be similar to Korean "방자전" ("The Servant") in the way the same events are told as 3 separate tales, presenting the point of view of the 3 lead characters. It smartly depicts the varying point of view of men and of a woman. The last story brought tears to my eyes at the rape showed from the woman's perspective and at her husband's reaction. The rape aftermath appears not to differ much from contemporary experiences. About the only difference is that in the Middle Ages the woman was threatened with torture if the crime couldn't be proven which would effectively discourage any woman from accusing any man. The eponymous fight keeps you on the edge of your seat. That's when you appreciate watching it on a 4K screen. What happens to the body after the duel is quite naturalistic.

KinoGram, where I saw the movie, is a brand new cinema in Warsaw, Google quickly informs you its offer is upmarket. What's it like? Once you find where the cinema is, the design - all black with golden screen numbers - gives off the same impression. Disappointingly, only screens 2 and 3 boast Atmos sound. Luckily, due to the sound devices being brand new, the sound in room 5 was at least crystal clear, especially the clinking of metal. However, the building still undergoing construction resulted in us overhearing a hammer banging a few times during the screening. There's also no Oscar statuette as yet, it's going to be exhibited in room 7 shortly. But the cinema has cosy, comfy, soft seats and good air-con. I hope there'll be more toilets than just the modern yet little one I've been to. 

TYDZIEN WARSZAWSKICH KIN STUDYJNYCH 

The week of Warsaw art-houses, coming to a close today, apart form movies, offered a meeting with historian Anna Cymer who discussed the architecture of art-houses. It turns out Kino Moskwa's socrealist lions are displayed till now, even though the cinema was demolished years ago. Kino Kijów in Cracow has wall-high mosaics outside and inside. Generally, post-war, communist authorities gave priority to cultural venues. Cinemas, earlier housed in tenements, then became stand-alone buildings, displaying neon lights, turning them into special places, built also outside the city centre, even along the WZ route (a thoroughfare in Warsaw). 

BERGMAN ISLAND

Watchable. Gives you a sightseeing tour of Gotland island in Sweden thanks to which I know I'm not going to waste my time there in real life. But it tries to tell a story, and another one: a film within the film - which never works - so it keeps you watching without saying anything of value. You can doze off, wake up and lose nothing of the action - it's that trivial. And it drags. Skippable. Or if you do see, choose comfy, reclining seats.